2 weeks Ago
Bengaluru: A fresh political slugfest broke out between Union minister HD Kumaraswamy and Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday, with both leaders trading direct challenges and stinging allegations. At a press conference, Kumaraswamy declared an open war against the state govt, vowing to expose what he termed as its "misdeeds" almost every week. "I've not taken up this fight out of personal enmity.
I have tons of documents with me. Don't provoke me. Of the six working days in a week, I will henceforth dedicate two days to Karnataka to expose the state govt's misdeeds," he said.
Targeting Shivakumar directly, Kumaraswamy alleged the DCM had looted iron ore in Ballari during his stint as the urban development minister and now he is out to plunder Bengaluru and its surrounding districts. "We have evidence and documents to prove this. He had seven companies.
As the urban development minister in 2003–2004, how many letters did he write to the MD of Mysore Minerals? How many letters were sent to the mines minister? We have all those records," Kumaraswamy alleged. In a sharp counter, Shivakumar challenged Kumaraswamy to release all the documents he claims to possess. He added, "If Kumaraswamy really has tons of documents, let him release all of them.
.. I know he has records of my assets, my son's assets, and my family's properties.
Let him reveal everything. If I've done anything wrong, I'm ready to face any punishment. I'm not someone who is afraid of Kumaraswamy.
" Kumaraswamy also took on the govt over what he described as a smear campaign involving land encroachment allegations. "I haven't spoken to the media for three or four months. I intended to stay quiet for three more months, but after seeing these accusations, I couldn't hold back," he said.
He questioned the logic behind claims that he had encroached upon 71 acres of land. "I am a former CM and son of a former PM. Would I grab just 4 acres?" he asked, adding that he had purchased 47 acres 40 years ago as a film producer.
"If there's any encroachment, let it be rectified in the records. Still, attempts are being made to damage my image." Referring to past attempts to discredit him, Kumaraswamy said, "Shivakumar claimed I was collecting garbage in BBMP.
Yes, when I was studying BSc, I had garbage collection tenders in three wards. I did that for my livelihood. Then, MLA Nagegowda raised this in the Assembly and criticised my father Deve Gowda.
My father advised me to stop taking govt contracts, and I did." —————- Box Union minister slams govt stand on Cauvery Union minister HD Kumaraswamy criticised the Congress govt over its handling of the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu project. "We are building dams with our tax money and releasing water to Tamil Nadu.
We have become water carriers," he said. Recalling a past incident, Kumaraswamy said former CM HD Deve Gowda had opposed a statement promising unlimited Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in exchange for paddy. "That resistance led to the construction of Kabini, Harangi, and Hemavathi dams," he said.
He said DMK's support must be secured before Congress makes further claims on Mekedatu..
